twenty-three

Stacy and I have spent the last two nights down here in Edmonds, as I’ve been doing some work around the house for them (as you undoubtedly noticed, if you read my Twitter/Facebook feed). I have a good relationship/friendship with my parents. So, I thought I’d write a quick blog post to explain what I like about being around here. I’m going to be here for the next week and 1/2 or so, so appreciating the good things is important to making a long stay enjoyable.

1. Edmonds: I simply like being around my hometown. I love, love, love Bellingham. But there’s something about being in the house you grew up in, feeling the hot summer sun beat down at the same angle it did all the years of your youth, that gets to me. I like the sunsets, the lazy drives through town in the evening, the sound of the ferry in the sound, journeying across to Kingston.

2. Stopping time: When we come down to my parent’s place, it’s something of a vacation for me and Stacy. Everything slows down a bit. Chores are left undone at home. I still fiddle with my computer a bit, incessantly checking my email, but with a little less frequency than at home. We also go to bed a little earlier, get up a little earlier, and generally mosey around at an easier pace.

3. Remembering where I’m from: I get to spend a bit of time with both my parents each evening we’re here. We talk, we eat, we play Pinochle, and we catch up. I listen to them talk about their days. Or remembering what it’s like for them to both get up and go for the day, the sound of the shower, the paper being taken in, the car starting outside on the driveway. We also visit my dad’s parents and in some quick moments, I’m able to step back and see three generations of people, living together, loving each other. It’s pretty good.

There may be more to come, but I’ll end with that. Stacy and I are pretty blessed to have good families we love, on both our sides. To spend a week or so down in Edmonds, working on a deck, or Stacy learning how to make this or that beaded jewelry item with my mom, or simply sipping a cold beer on the deck with my dad, are all pretty good things.

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